[gmguy74]

So, did you go with the Front Wheel Drive (FWD) model, or did you upgrade to the All Wheel Drive (AWD) one? I'm curious to see which model is selling better.

*If you ordered recently or waiting for delivery, please vote!

**If you're thinking about ordering/buying/leasing a Terrain and know which one you're getting, please vote!

I'm not sure which model I'd go for. Instinctively, I want AWD for the added safety, but I live in southern NJ and we don't see that much snow to concern me (though it's nice to have the safety of AWD, do I really want to pay in fuel mileage for something not needed as much - yes I know, AWD helps out in rain too). My mom hates driving in snow/rain and her '05 Saturn VUE has AWD; friends have a '02 VUE I-4 FWD and love it, but the wife wants AWD in her next CUV for the "added safety".

 

[Mazzuchelli]

In the SRX I went V8 AWD since it was a novelty to me at the time. The handling is awe-inspiring in rain or snow as well as on dry pavement. The downside is the AWD with all it's ancillary mechanicals seems to really suck up the horsepower. It also does no good to gas mileage although that's never a primary driver behind a vehicle purchase. Over the years I've been spoiled by exceptional Cadillac gas mileage so was somewhat surprised the SRX put me back to '67 GTO levels. Suspect the SRX would cut the Goat in the quarter, having said that.

Ideally, believe the better solution might be 4WD that one can engage as needed, e. g., Avalanche. While there's still some extra weight, I don't believe that weight is causing a direct drag on the motor until it's engaged to the front axle. My '03 Av, for example, typically reached 17 MPG during the daily commute. My driving style is unnecessarily aggressive so we're not talking 45 MPH.

 

[moofy]

FWD is what I ordered. I needed the extra gas mileage. Every little bit counts for me.

 

[Steve S.]

I am planning on the FWD version. Since I am in Atlanta, we get very little snow, even though I know the AWD would give me superior handling in the rain, which we have had way too much of!!

 

[NoobNox]

This is a choice that really depends on the geographical location you will be doing most of your driving. I live in Texas so FWD was a no-brainer..however I live in north Texas and a week after I picked mine up we experienced some snow and ice. The FWD Nox handled like a champ even though road clearing is not something that is done down here..the combination of FWD, traction/stability control makes it very easy to drive even on snowy roads with patches of ice mixed in. Of course if I lived in a state with frequent snows, and only the main roads are cleared..I would consider AWD, but I think even northerners could get by with FWD most of the time.

 

[Cameron]

I went FWD as well. i almost went I4 AWD but decided the extra $2000 wasnt really worth it, i dont make use of AWD and FWD was getting me around just fine in the winters up here for the last few years. (Been rocking a FWD monte carlo of sorts for the last 7 years)

Mileage drop on the AWD version kinda swayed my decision as well. Figure if im gonna give up the Dale Jr Monte Carlo for a cute ute i might as well get the mileage monster.

 

[gearhead]

Looks like the votes are even as of June 24, 2010.
Determining factors, as mentioned, include your budget and need for MPG.
Areas with a lot of rain may want to consider the AWD for safety as well.
Don't have a mind set that it improves traction in snow only.

 

[10equinox]

AWD is pretty much a most for the roads we travel during winter, not uncommon to have 6-10 inches of snow covering on the road with taller drifts. This winter was very nice, my wife didnt get stuck once, she usually would 2-3 times with her impala. And mileage is identical to the impala's. Easily worth the extra $1750 in my opinion.

The other thing is in the midwest (anyways) it will hold its resale much better being AWD.

 

[djmodifyd]

AWD equinox.

Live in iowa, and will be moving to minnesota within a couple years.

 

[scottyyyc]

Don't bother with AWD unless you live in the northern US or Canada and gets lots of snow (or unless you actually do a fair amount of off-roading type activities). Rain doesn't really count. On dry or fairly normal pavement, you'll never notice.

That being said, in cold and snowy environments (Canada FTW!) it makes a massive difference.

 

[gearhead]

Don't bother with AWD unless you live in the northern US or Canada and gets lots of snow (or unless you actually do a fair amount of off-roading type activities). Rain doesn't really count. [/color]On dry or fairly normal pavement, you'll never notice.

That being said, in cold and snowy environments (Canada FTW!) it makes a massive difference.

I've spun many a FWD vehicle 270 + degrees in the rain, darned leadfoot!

OK, in my younger, wilder days, but going around corners and hitting a slick spot ain't fun, I'll take the AWD hands down.
JMHO.
Plus it sounds sooooo cooool hearing all those gears whirring away!
8)

 

[Narg]

We only experience snow about 2 to 4 weeks per year. With that low of amounts, the cities don't know how to handle it very well as neither do the drivers. I have AWD in my Traverse, and like Gearhead says, it is noisey (not a lot really, but it is there...) I got it for not only snow, but there are some dirt and gravel roads I travel on occasionally and in rain those are terrible with mud and all. For our Equinox, we just got FWD. Why I'm writing here is that we were extremely impressed with how well the 'Nox handled in the snow. It was amazing, almost shocking! Plus the 'Nox won't see the roads I travel in our Traverse. Not that it's a replacement for AWD, but if you're not sure and not in a "Northern" state or Canada, go with FWD. In some cases like this, less is better.

 

[grometsc]

Tires have more of an impact than the AWD system on our cars

 

[scottyyyc]

Tires have more of an impact than the AWD system on our cars

In every environment except snow/ice - yes.

In heavy snow and ice, I would take summer tires w/ AWD over winter tires w/ FWD any day of the week. And this is coming from a Canadian who sees his fair share of snow and Ice for huge chunks of the year.

 

[grometsc]

In every environment except snow/ice - yes.

In heavy snow and ice, I would take summer tires w/ AWD over winter tires w/ FWD any day of the week. And this is coming from a Canadian who sees his fair share of snow and Ice for huge chunks of the year.

Even in snow tires have more of an effect than AWD.....Most Canadians should know this. Your are crazy if you would take summer tires on AWD (360 spin city) over RWD/FWD with proper winter tires. I have spent several winters in Canada (including 6months straight living in AB training a new employee), and lived in the midwest for its nice winters.

 

[scottyyyc]

Even in snow tires have more of an effect than AWD.....

Unless you have pretty crappy tires, I would have to disagree. I've driven tons of FWD and AWD cars, all with different kinds of tires, and like I said, I'd take AWD any day of the week over tires. Personally, I try and do both. This winter, I'll have a good set of winter tires on the terrain.

 

[grometsc]

Unless you have pretty crappy tires, I would have to disagree. I've driven tons of FWD and AWD cars, all with different kinds of tires, and like I said, I'd take AWD any day of the week over tires. Personally, I try and do both. This winter, I'll have a good set of winter tires on the terrain.

AWD adds traction
Snow tires adds adhesion to the road

AWD adds no benefit when braking or cornoring in the snow or rain. AWD is simply overrated. Look it up yourself.

 

[gearhead]

Remember, AWD is tuned to give traction to the wheel(s) that are slipping the least, monitored hundreds of times/second.
Throw in the anti-roll (or whatever it's called) computer assist and that's a winning combo over FWD hands down.
I've spent many winters rocking a stuck car with winter tires, F or RWD.

 

[grometsc]

Remember, AWD is tuned to give traction to the wheel(s) that are slipping the least, monitored hundreds of times/second.
Throw in the anti-roll (or whatever it's called) computer assist and that's a winning combo over FWD hands down.
I've spent many winters rocking a stuck car with winter tires, F or RWD.

I agree that AWD gives better starting traction (see above 2 post)....But you have to move past the "starting" to see where TIRES have more effect than the drive system. FWD/AWD are better at slipperly starting than RWD, with AWD beating out FWD. But how does FWD/AWD or RWD help you stop at the red light in a slippery condition? How does FWD/AWD/RWD help your rear from coming out from under you while turning in slipperly conditions (dont say because the back wheels are spinning....if you think that then why isnt RWD good at this?, atleats with RWD you can properly drift)

 

[10equinox]

I agree that AWD gives better starting traction (see above 2 post)....But you have to move past the "starting" to see where TIRES have more effect than the drive system. FWD/AWD are better at slipperly starting than RWD, with AWD beating out FWD. But how does FWD/AWD or RWD help you stop at the red light in a slippery condition? How does FWD/AWD/RWD help your rear from coming out from under you while turning in slipperly conditions (dont say because the back wheels are spinning....if you think that then why isnt RWD good at this?, atleats with RWD you can properly drift)

The problem with the back end comming out and stopping is usually caused from over driving, not allowing enough time to stop etc. The anti-lock brakes and StabiliTrak will help more than anything with that. I dont think snow tires on a two wheel drive even compare, maybe if the AWD happened to have 4 flat tires. I have done my far share of rocking vehicles also.

Changing out tires and such, for the cost, could have just added AWD and been done with it.